As cross-bench politicians try to delay the government discussing senate reform the issue of marriage equality has been used as a political football.
Earlier this week Senator David Leyonhjelm from the Liberal Democrats tried to force as discussion on The Greens marriage equality bill. By pushing the marriage equality issue forward it delayed discussion about the senate voting reforms.
Leyonhjelm’s move saw The Greens vote against discussing their own bill. Labor criticised The Greens move, sending The Greens into damage control mode.
The Greens were forced to explain to the public that they were not voting against marriage equality, but against it being a delaying tactic on getting to senate voting reform.
The Greens then convinced Labor to use their time in the chamber to discuss the marriage equality bill.
At the start of business in the senate this morning Senator Leyonhjelm moved a motion to allow a longer discussion on the bill, a move which would have again delayed discussion about senate voting reforms, but the motion was voted down.
Labor’s leader in the Senate, Penny Wong blasted The Greens for siding with the coalition and blocking a vote on marriage equality for the second time in three days.
“Don’t you ever come in here and tell us how committed you are to this issue,” Senator Wong told parliament on Thursday morning.
When debate on the bill resumed this morning The Greens senator Janet Rice kicked off the discussion saying the senate should vote on the issue today.
The debate saw politicians speak for and against marriage equality. Liberal National Party Senator Ian Macdonald used his time to speak about almost anything except marriage, which lead to Labor’s Senator Doug Cameron called on the speaker to bring the discussion back to the topic of marriage.
Senator Cameron then used his time to speak about how Senator Macdonald’s comments about the Labor party simply weren’t true.
The Green’s Senator Robert Simms rose to note that Senator Cameron was not talking about marriage either. Senator Cameron commented to the speaker that he’d not been talking about marriage for less time than Senator Macdonald wasn’t talking about marriage.
The Greens Sentor Larissa Waters was quick on her feet, beating Family First’s Senator Bob Day. Senator Waters moved for a division that would allow for a vote on the issue.
The Labor members sided with the Coalition and a vote was not able to proceed.
Senator Day then spoke about how gay men are not really very monogamous, his fear of ‘throuples’ wanting to wed and how marriage is really about heterosexual couple and children.
Time then ran out on the debate.
See our live updates on the discussion on Twitter or below.
Marriage Equality debate begins with Greens senator Janet Rice speaking about her marriage to transgender partner
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
Senator Janet Rice describes her marriage as a nether-world of discrimination #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
“Everyone should have the opportunity to marry the person they love” Senator Janet Rice GR #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
Senator Janet Rice describes marriage laws as “state sanctioned discrimination” #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
Senator Janet Rice speaking in senate calls for a vote on marriage equality this morning. #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
Senator Ian Macdonald says Coalition keeps the promises it takes to elections and has a policy on marriage #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
Senator Ian Macdonald uses his time in the marriage equality debate to talk about preferential voting instead #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
Senator Doug Cameron interjects to complain MacDonald is not discussing the bill #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
Sen Ian McDonald says he’s “gobsmacked” that people are opposed to the idea of a plebiscite #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
“Everyone would agree that this is an issue beyond the normal rules of government” Sen Ian Macdonald LIB #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
Senator Ian McDonald says a plebiscite will allow us to have no doubt about what Australians think about marriage laws #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
Sen Doug Cameron LAB: The plebiscite is an abrogation of senators responsibilities #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
Sen Doug Cameron describes Turnbull as capitulating to the worst elements in society #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
Sen Doug Cammeron says the views of people like George Christensen should be ignored #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
Sen Larissa Waters has moved for a division on the marriage equality bill. #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
Senator Bob Day (FF) argues that marriage equality will also be need for thrupples “before the dust settles” #auspol
— OUTinPerth (@OUTinPerth) March 17, 2016
